How to make self catering feel like a holiday?

[bumchic]

To squeeze in two holidays this year we went away self catering at half term and will do the same in August but I found myself seething the whole time at still having to produce lunch and dinner every day. We had two lunches in cafes and two dinners in restaurants but the rest of the time was shopping and cooking. These are U.K. breaks so there’s no cheap plentiful local seafood or produce etc and just a trip round a different branch of our usual supermarket with a slightly different layout for a bit of exoticism.

Anyone any tips? Don’t want to spend our August hol feeling annoyed

We used to eat out once a day which could be a sandwich in which case we would have a BBQ or pasta in the evening or dinner out in which case bits and pieces for lunch. It didn’t feel like a chore and DH would often do any cooking required.

Oh it is hard OP. We tend to go quite remote in UK so value the ability to make picnics as otherwise we’d waste loads of the day looking for food. So we suck that bit up.

For dinner we tend to go very quick and easy / basic. I also meal plan before we go so I know if we have to bring herbs/stock cubes whatever for certain meals. A week usually goes something like:

First night - depends on the travel day, we have brought frozen meals from home but need a decent-ish cool bag and rice or pasta or whatever to go with.

Then usually plan about three quick and easy meals - and I mean easy, bacon sandwiches are a favourite holiday meal with us as we’d never have that for dinner at home.

Then plan to have a meal out for the other days and just picky bits lunch or evening of that day.

We do a lot of self catering. There are only 3 of us- me, DH and DS who is 11 and a brilliant eater, so it is easier than cooking for a large family and/or people who have specific dietary needs/fussy kids.

We tend to keep breakfast simple as we are not cooked breakfast people and I don't eat much I'm the morning. So tea and toast/pastries plus DH and DS will have cereal.

We then tend to eat out a few times - either lunch or dinner. Not everyday but certainly for some meals.

If not eating out, we pack a nice picnic with nicer items than I would buy for everyday usually. Otherwise it's a pub/cafe/pasty while out.

Then in the evenings, if we had a big lunch, we will have things like cheese/cold meats/salad and wine.
If not, we cook together or go out. I always pick places with a dishwasher and tend to keep meals simple e.g. baked fish with veg and baby potatoes - minimises prep time and cleaning up.